A group of us, all "over 48" (my preferred age designation), are going to Bennington, Vt, for the weekend, to see a student production involving someone's kid--any ideas of things wer might enjoy while we're there?

Museums and museum-like places, artisan's places, restaurants, especiallly local homey places?

Do go find Robert Frost's grave in the graveyard behind the First Congregational Church. It's west of Rte 7, up a hill toward the Bennington Monument...which you also might want to see. Its location is so much what you would expect of his final resting spot. People leave things for him on it...cigars, loose change...not quite sure what that's all about. The church itself is beautiful, dating to the 1800's at least.

It's been a while since I've been there, but the Bennington Monument, a tribute to Ethan Allen (before he started in the furniture business) is quite magnificent. Nearby is/was a Grandma Moses museum. I'm a sucker for that American primitive sort of thing so I spent a wonderful afternoon there. And don't miss a visit to Bennington Pottery. The stuff I bought there twenty years ago I use every day and it looks as stylish as it did the day I bought it.

Musuem and museum-like places are plentiful around that area. The Bennington Museum is nice and from there it is a short walk or drive to the Bennington Battle Monument. In North Bennington is the Park-McCullock house that you can tour. Up in Manchester, 20 minutes or so north is Hildene, the summer home to Robert Todd Lincoln. Beautiful estate and lots of Lincoln memoribilia. For food, you've got to do the Blue Ben Diner, especially for breakfast. On County St (I believe), just off Route 7 is the Bennington Potters Yard. There are also a few art galleries and antique shops on Route 7A between Bennington and Manchester. Have a great trip!

I'm guessing you haven't bothered to search the web. There are fabulous resources for visiting Vermont. Or,you could pick up the phone and dial 1-800-VERMONT. Better yet, go to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of "Vermont, An Explorer's Guide", or you could order it from any of the online bookstores.

I hope this is helpful: I cannot remember the name of the place, but surely people in the Bennington area will know. There is a fabulous old-fashioned pancake house way up on a big hill perhaps 20 min. east of Bennington on Rt. 9. Sorry for the sketchy info but I ate there long ago and loved it.... super fun, super homey, big portions, friendly service, great views.

Thank you for all the great suggestions so far and the more the better for me of course. Maxie--you're dead right, I "haven't bothered" to search the web, and may or may not choose to--what I want, always get, and try to give on this site is suggestions from real people who've been where I'm going.